Full-time study

4 years

prof. Ing. Marcela Karmazínová, CSc.

Chairman :
prof. Ing. Marcela Karmazínová, CSc.
Councillor internal :
prof. Ing. Jindřich Melcher, DrSc.
doc. Ing. Lumír Miča, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Leonard Hobst, CSc.
prof. Ing. Zbyněk Keršner, CSc.
prof. Ing. Drahomír Novák, DrSc.
prof. Ing. Ivailo Terzijski, CSc.
prof. Dr.techn. Ing. Michal Varaus
doc. Ing. Otto Plášek, Ph.D.
prof. RNDr. Ing. Petr Štěpánek, CSc., dr. h. c.
Councillor external :
Ing. Mojmír Nejezchleb
prof. Ing. Stanislav Vejvoda, CSc.

The aim of the doctoral study program Structures and Traffic Structures is to provide excellent graduates with a specialized university degree and scientific training in selected current fields of study, particularly in the field of mechanics of load-bearing building structures, concrete, masonry, composite, metal, wood, geotechnics, building testing and diagnostics of load-bearing building structures as well as in the areas of road construction and railway structures and constructions. The study is focused on complex scientific preparation, methodology of independent scientific work and on the development of knowledge in the field of the theory of load-bearing structures, engineering structures and transport structures, with the basic disciplines presented areas of mechanics of load-bearing structures of engineering and transport structures. . The scientific preparation in this study program is based on mastering the initial theoretical disciplines of the science-based basis and theoretical and scientific disciplines of the relevant focus.
The aim of the study is also the involvement of students in the preparation and solution of national and international scientific research projects, presentation of achieved results at national and international level and their publication in professional and scientific foreign and domestic journals as well as at scientific and professional conferences. During his / her studies, the student gains not only new theoretical knowledge, but also own experience from experimental activities and necessary practical knowledge also thanks to close cooperation with construction practice in the field of designing and designing and realization of load-bearing building structures as well as to a foreign university or research institution, or work placements at another professional workplace.

Graduates of the doctoral study program Structural and Transport Engineering will be prepared for creative activities in the field of science, research, development and innovation, both individually and in teams at national and international level. During his / her doctoral program he / she acquires and acquires deep knowledge of theoretical and professional disciplines, acquires not only new theoretical knowledge but also new own experience and acquires the necessary habits for independent scientific research and creative activities in research and development. in addressing current scientific issues and issues arising from practice requirements. Upon successful completion of the highest level of university studies in the doctoral study program Construction and Traffic Structures, the graduate will be able to deepen the knowledge and level of knowledge in the field and successfully use knowledge and scientific approaches in solving theoretical and practical tasks.
Scientific preparation is focused on the following basic specializations: Mechanics of load-bearing structures; Concrete and masonry structures; Metal, wood and composite structures; Geotechnics; Experimental technology and testing; Roads; Railway structures and constructions. Graduates can be employed mainly in research and development workplaces, in designing organizations, in state administration bodies, and the experience gained during their teaching experience within the doctoral study program can be applied also in education in the academic sphere or in other educational or research institutions. Completion of the doctoral study program is also a necessary precondition for possible further career and professional academic growth of the graduate.

Doctoral degree programs are primarily aimed at graduate employment in science and research, which is, among other things, anchored in the objectives of study, learning outcomes and graduate profile. This implies the employment of graduates especially in organizations, institutions and companies that are engaged in research and development activities. These are mainly research organizations whose main activity is research and development, but also construction practice entities, ie companies, where research and development is one of the part of the whole spectrum of activities in addition to commonly realized activities such as production and implementation. A number of implementing companies are currently creating support for their own research and development as they can strengthen their position, competitiveness and marketability in a highly competitive environment. In this regard, there is a growing demand for younger generation professionals with independent creative scientific work, knowledge and insight into new modern trends not only in their expertise but also in related expertise and activities such as PC modeling, simulation, experimental methods and procedures. Last but not least, the graduate has the opportunity to work in the academic sphere, which involves combining scientific research and educational activities. Graduates can thus find employment especially in research organizations and construction practice companies in the context of related development and innovation activities, in educational institutions, especially in the university sphere, which provides them with the possibility of further personal and career development and professional academic growth. Moreover, experience shows that graduates of doctoral study programs are very successful in organizations of the mentioned types not only in the Czech Republic but also abroad, which is also true for graduates in the field of Construction and Transport Structures. Completion of the doctoral study program gives graduates very good prerequisites for employment in, for example, design organizations or state administration in higher professional and managerial positions.

Fulfillment of the subjects of the individual study plan, successful completion of the state doctoral examination, foreign experience, relevant creative activity and successful defense of the dissertation.

The rules and conditions for the creation of study plans of study programs carried out at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the BUT define:
Rules of BUT study programs (www.vutbr.cz/uredni-deska/vnitrni-predpisy-a-dokumenty), which according to Article 1, paragraph 1, point:
c) defines the processes of creation, approval and changes of study program proposals before their submission for accreditation to the National Accreditation Office for Higher Education,
d) lays down the formal requirements for study programs and courses,
e) defines the obligations of study program and subject guarantors,
f) defines the standards of study programs at BUT,
g) defines the principles of quality assurance of study programs.
Study and Examination Regulations of the Brno University of Technology (www.vutbr.cz/uredni-deska/international-details-and-documents)
Details of the conditions for study at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the BUT are governed by the Dean's Directive )
The PhD student studies according to an individual study plan, which is elaborated by the supervisor in cooperation with the PhD student. The individual study plan is binding for the doctoral student. It specifies all duties set in accordance with the BUT Study and Examination Regulations that a doctoral student must fulfill in order to successfully complete his / her studies.
During the first three semesters, the doctoral student consists of compulsory, compulsorily elective or at the same time, it is intensively engaged in its own study and analysis of knowledge in the field determined by the topic of the dissertation and continuous publication of the knowledge and results obtained in this way. In the following semesters, the doctoral student focuses more on research and development related to the topic of the dissertation, on the publication of the results of his / her creative work and on his / her own dissertation. By the end of the fifth semester, the doctoral student has passed the state doctoral examination. The doctoral student is also involved in pedagogical activities, which is a part of his scientific preparation.
The individual study plan includes scientific outputs in individual years:
- regular publishing activity (Juniorstav and similar),
- participation in scientific conferences at home and abroad,
- for defense of DZP it is necessary to publish - min. 2x Scopus or 1x WOS with impact factor.

At the Faculty of Civil Engineering, BUT, barrier-free access to all teaching rooms is currently provided. However, students must be physically fit to be qualified as a civil engineer. In practically oriented laboratory teaching, they must be able to operate measuring instruments and similar laboratory equipment independently without endangering themselves or their surroundings.
BUT provides support to students with specific needs, for details see Guideline 11/2017 (www.vutbr.cz/uredni-deska/international-documents-and-documents/-d141841/uplne-zneni-smernice-c-11- 2017-p147550).
In order to promote equal access to higher education, BUT incorporates the Alfons Advisory Center, part of the BUT Institute of Lifelong Learning, to provide guidance and support services to applicants and students with specific educational needs. Specific educational needs include learning disabilities, physical and sensory disabilities, chronic somatic illness, autistic spectrum disorders, impaired communication skills and mental illness (alfons.vutbr.cz/o-nas).
Students are provided with information concerning the accessibility of study programs with respect to the specific needs of the applicant, information about the architectural accessibility of individual faculties and university parts, about accommodation at the BUT dormitory, about the possibilities of adapting the admission procedure and adapting the study itself. Other services of the Center for Students with Special Educational Needs also include interpreting and rewriting services, or assistance services - guiding, spatial orientation, in order to enable these students to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in the same way as other students. This is done through the so-called adaptation of study, ie by appropriate adjustment of the study regime, which cannot be understood as a simplification of the content of study or relief of study obligations.

The doctoral study program Construction and Traffic Structures is a follow-up to the follow-up Master's study program Civil Engineering, in particular the study field Construction and Traffic Structures, respectively. as well as other fields of study and nursing master's degree programs. After accreditation of the follow-up master's study program Civil Engineering - Structures and Traffic Constructions for this program.

2. round (applications submitted from 05.10.2021 to 15.12.2021)

1. Advanced reliability and durability assessment of structures

   The topic focuses on selected aspects of advanced assessment of safety, reliability and durability of structures. Stochastic and soft computing methods will be used. In particular, attention will be focused on methods and procedures applicable in combination with nonlinear FEM analyses of bridge structures.

   Tutor: Lehký David, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

2. The development and application of new methods for experimental static and dynamic analysis of railway construction.

   The theme includes the development and application of new procedures in the issue of experimental analysis of engineering (railway) construction. It is expected to be focused on advanced mathematical techniques from the field of time and frequency domain in combination with the methods of artificial intelligence. Part of the topic is the implementation of these procedures in the process of verification of new railway structures, or structures for higher operating speeds.

   Tutor: Smutný Jaroslav, prof. Ing., Dr.

1. round (applications submitted from 09.06.2021 to 31.07.2021)

1. Design of new or strengthening of existing concrete strucztures

   masonry, reinforced an prestressed concretet structures, connected to current solved research projects at dept of Masonry and concrete structures

   Tutor: Štěpánek Petr, prof. RNDr. Ing., CSc., dr. h. c.

2. Homogenization of discrete models of concrete taking into account strain localization

   Student will develop computational homogenization technique of discrete mesoscale model of concrete fracture based on asymptotic exapnsion according to [R. Rezakhani, G. Cusatis, J Mech Phys Solids 88, 320–345 (2016)]. The homogenization will be enhanced by modification of Hill-Mandel condition to account also for strain localization. This will be practically achived by having two disctinct Representative Volume Elements (RVEs) at each integration point, one for localizing part and one for unloading part of the material [J. F. Unger, J Mech Phys Solids 61, 928–948 (2013)]. Furthermore, an attempt will be taken towards speed up the simulations by applying Proper Ortogonal Decomposition.

   Tutor: Eliáš Jan, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Image analysis for determination of geometrical characteristics of aggregates

   Image analysis of a planar section of pavement construction might be an alternative method to dissolving of binder and sieve analysis with the goal to obtain gradation curve and other geometrical characteristics. For grains over 1 mm, this procedure could be less laborious and sufficiently reliable. For a qualitative analysis of the the grain shape, it could introduce new objective criteria, even for free aggregates before use in construction.

   Tutor: Holcner Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

4. Inverse analysis and optimization for reliability and lifetime assessment of structures

   The topic is focused on solving inverse problems and optimization for the design and reliability and lifetime assessment of structures. For solution stochastic and soft-computing methods will be utilized. Main attention will be focused on the methods and procedures applicable in combination with a non-linear FEM analyses of bridge structures.

   Tutor: Lehký David, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Multilayer system analysis for flexible pavement assessment

   Load effect on pavemenent construction is computed according to standard TP170 "with use of a suitable program" based on "the multilayer elastic system model". Existing programs are verified empirically and the results are used in the pavement catalog. New computer program with an open source code is needed for the computational procedure. Furthermore, it is desirable to analyze different possible methods reflecting viscoelastic properties and rheological behavior of the binder used.

   Tutor: Holcner Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

6. Selected problems in traffic acoustics

   The topic includes the solution of a group of selected problems in the field of acoustics in the environment of rail transport. The first includes the application of the CNOSSOS-EU methodology and the validation of noise from rail transport in the development of mathematical models in solving the reduction of harmful noise. The second includes methods and procedures for reducing environmental noise in urban agglomerations from tram traffic. The third is focused on the influence of weather conditions on the propagation of sound waves from traffic in the outdoor environment.

   Tutor: Smutný Jaroslav, prof. Ing., Dr.

7. The development and application of new methods for experimental static and dynamic analysis of railway construction.

   The theme includes the development and application of new procedures in the issue of experimental analysis of engineering (railway) construction. It is expected to be focused on advanced mathematical techniques from the field of time and frequency domain in combination with the methods of artificial intelligence. Part of the topic is the implementation of these procedures in the process of verification of new railway structures, or structures for higher operating speeds.

   Tutor: Smutný Jaroslav, prof. Ing., Dr.

8. The intelligent monitoring system for identifying the condition of railway lines

   The essence of the topic is the design of a modern monitoring system for measuring the dynamic effects on the railway superstructure during the passage of trains, evaluation of its current state and for evaluating the effectiveness of maintenance work during its life cycle. The topic includes the creation of a "smart" modular system of basic data collection and a set of appropriate algorithms that allow to obtain information about the state of railway lines and their components in real time, transfer and store them in the created information system for subsequent use for manufacturers, government, projection, research, etc. The work will be carried out on the current platform at the institute of existing measuring technology.

   Tutor: Smutný Jaroslav, prof. Ing., Dr.

9. The research of dynamic behaviour of railway lines

   The theme is focused on study of dynamic behaviour of railway lines. The theme includes railway superstructure and railway subbase. The topic involves experiment and simulation techniques. Within the simulations, an orientation to the Finite Element Method is assumed, and within the experiment to diagnostics with the use of stationary stations and measuring train sets. The theme also includes application of a suitable modern mathematical apparatus for the evaluation of the railway lines parameters including of artificial intelligence methods use.

   Tutor: Smutný Jaroslav, prof. Ing., Dr.